How to Do a Jump on a Snowmobile

For anyone who wants to do mid-air tricks on a snowmobile, mastering the initial jump is a fundamental skill. There is more to a snowmobile jump than just racing toward the ramp and seeing how high you can go. There are essential steps to making a successful jump. If you can make the most out of practicing a fundamental jump, you will be ready to take on more advanced maneuvers.

Things You'll Need

• Snowmobile designed for stunts
• Helmet
• Safety attire

Instructions

1. Determine the desired grade or angle of the jump ramp. The angle will determine height of the jump as well as the distance gained before landing.

2. Provide enough distance between the ramp and the starting point. This will help you get enough lift to make up for gravitational pull when the snowmobile is ascending the ramp.

3. Determine a target speed at which the snowmobile will go toward the ramp. A slower speed will inhibit take-off, and too much speed could cause a nose dive.

4. Take your feet off the running board when the snowmobile is airborne. This helps reduce overall weight on the machine and can prevent ankle injury, especially once you move on to more complicated stunts.

5. Keep the snowmobile in a desirable position once it is in the air, preferably horizontally level. Give the machine more gas if it starts to do a nose dive.

6. Tap the brake if the nose gets too high in the air. This will help level the machine and ensure a safe landing.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice! It will take many attempts for you to figure out what effect speed and gravity will have on the machine and your body once you're in the air.

• Find quality video clips and streams to learn how to execute a jump.

• Not all snowmobiles are built for tricks. Find a snowmobile--an extreme snowmobile--that is meant for aerial stunts and tricks.

• A helmet is a must-have when doing any snowmobile stunt. Do not ride without one.

• Keeping your feet planted on the running board may lead to broken ankles if the snowmobile should flip or crash. Be ready to move your feet if necessary.

• Extreme snowmobiling can be dangerous in remote locations, such as mountains. Be sure to have proper survival gear at all times, and take a safety class before going out.

• Never go out alone when planning to do some extreme snowmobiling.